Road Trip Central America – 6 Months, 8 Countries, 1 Epic Adventure

After two months, many thousands of miles exploring the American West, and more than 17 National Parks, my girlfriend Andrea and I crossed the border into Tijuana to begin our road trip through Central America for an overlanding adventure the likes of which neither of us ever imagined.

Many thousands of miles and six months later we had driven through 8 countries and loaded my truck onto a container ship in Colon in order to bypass the Darien Gap and arrive in Colombia.

I had the chance to chat with Jason of the Zero to Travel podcast about this once in a lifetime adventure. Give it a listen:

You can give it a listen through the embedded player below, give it a listen on iTunes, on Stitcher, or just download the episode directly.

We often hear all sorts of terrible things about crime and danger in Central America, particularly in Mexico.

But the reality is quite different…

Read More: About the Safety of Driving in Mexico and Central America

For more information about our overlanding adventures on our Road Trip through Central America, then be sure to check out:

• Driving through Mexico and Central America FAQ
• The Best Countries in Central America for Travelers

Overlanding Mexico

Mexico was incredible to travel through, but the most frequent question I get is whether or not Mexico is safe, so be sure to check out that article, as well as my super detailed guide to traveling through Mexico. Or check out one of the posts below:

• Driving in Mexico: Tijuana Border Crossing and Mexican Auto Insurance
• Welcome to Baja California, Mexico – First Nights on the Road
• House Sitting in Mexico, Well Off the Grid in Baja California
• Driving Mexico’s Baja Peninsula from San Quintin to San Ignacio
• Snorkeling in Loreto, Mexico in Beautiful Baja California
• Beautiful Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Problems with the Police
• How to Go from Baja California to Mainland Mexico – TMC Ferry from La Paz to Los Mochis
• The Police Welcome Us to the Mainland: Arriving in Los Mochis Mexico
• Driving Mexico’s Beautiful Pacific Coast from Mazatlan to Puerto Vallarta
• The Town of Tequila and the La Cofradia Factory Tour
• On the Road from Lake Chapala to Morelia, Mexico
• What it’s Like Driving into Mexico City
• How to Overland Central America: What to Know Before You Go
• The Top 11 Things to Do in Mexico City
• Don’t Drive through Mexico or Central America: You Will Be Kidnapped, Killed, or Worse!
• An (Almost) Free Vacation: Three Weeks House Sitting in Mexico City
• Visiting the Ancient Teotihuacan Pyramids in Mexico
• Tombs and Tunnels in Cholula, Mexico and Visiting Puebla
• The Wild and Rugged State of Oaxaca, Mexico
• Three Things You Must Do When Visiting Oaxaca Mexico
• The Petrified Waterfalls and Infinity Pools of Hierve el Agua, Mexico
• The Hippie Beach Retreat of Zipolite Mexico
• Ecotourism Among the Mangroves and Wildlife in La Ventanilla, Mexico
• Never Drive at Night: Overcoming Blockades and Protests in Oaxaca, Mexico
• Visiting Mexico’s Stunning Sumidero Canyon in Chiapas
• An Honest Opinion of San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
• Ranking the Best Countries to Visit in Central America for Travelers
• 6 Can’t Miss Mexico City Tours When Visiting this Metropolis
• Do You Really Need Travel Insurance for Mexico?
• The 12 Coolest Puerto Vallarta Tours & Activities for a Fun Trip
• 8 Things You Should Know When Visiting Mexico City
• The Coolest Things to Do in Tulum Mexico
• The 9 Best Tulum Tours That Will Take Your Breath Away
• 23 Coolest Things to Do in Cancun Mexico on Any Budget
• The 11 Coolest Things to Do in Mazatlán on a Budget
• The 12 Best Mexico City Hostels For Every Type of Visitor
• The 15 Best Mexico City Museums For Art, Culture, and History
• The 12 Best Cancun Tours and Activities for Your Next Trip
• Where to Stay in Mexico City: A Guide to the Best Neighborhoods
• 10 Best Mazatlan Tours and Activities for Your Next Trip
• 25 Interesting Mexico City Facts that Not Many People Know
• 7 Amazing Places to Visit in Mexico that are NOT on the Beach
• 10 Best Things to Do in Merida Mexico
• All About the Frida Kahlo Museum Mexico City and the Artist
• Overland Tips: Mexico Belize Border Crossing
• The Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza: Everything You Need to Know
• National Museum of Anthropology Mexico: Most Important Museum in Mexico City
• 10 Best Playa del Carmen Tours and Activities You Should Experience Now
• 8 Best Cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico
• Where to Stay in Cancun: Your Guide to the Best Neighborhoods, Hostels, and Hotels
• The Coolest Things to Do in Playa del Carmen Mexico
• Ultimate Travel Guide to the Historic Center of Mexico City

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About the Author

Ryan

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Ryan is an author, adventurer, perpetual wanderer, and self-proclaimed dirtbag (but that might not mean what you think). Originally from Seattle, he headed to Washington D.C. where he spent five years working for Congress before heeding the call of the wild. He set out truck camping to road trip across the American West, and then across all of Central America and South America. When he isn't on the move, you can find him living as an expat in Colombia. He is also the author of the best selling book: Big Travel, Small Budget that will help you travel more for less. Follow the adventures on social media or read more.